The Short Stories, Volume I

This definitive audio collection, read by Stacy Keach, traces the development and maturation of Hemingway's distinct and revolutionary storytelling style - from the plain bald language of his first story to his mastery of seamless prose that contained a spare, eloquent pathos, as well as a sense of expansive solitude. These stories showcase the singular talent of a master, the most important American writer of the 20th century.

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Publisher's Summary

Before he gained wide fame as a novelist, Ernest Hemingway established his literary reputation with his short stories. Set in the varied landscapes of Spain, Africa, and the American Midwest, this definitive audio collection traces the development and maturation of Hemingway's distinct and revolutionary storytelling style - from the plain bald language of his first story to his mastery of seamless prose that contained a spare, eloquent pathos, as well as a sense of expansive solitude. These stories showcase the singular talent of a master, the most important American writer of the 20th century.

Papa was pretty particular and sometimes labored over a sentence, let alone a paragraph, for hours at a time and his great forte as perhaps the greatest author of prose in the English language in the 20th century was his literary style, his sparce descriptions, what the rain felt like, looked like, and perhaps what it portended. This is an excellent group of short stories, representative of Hemingway's finer works, with only a few obvious omissions (I'm referring to both Vol 1 and II). They are, however, generally well done and the narrator is capable. But Hemingway is not about "the story" or the theme or the plot of whatever he's writing. My rating of this at 4 stars reflects the disappointment any serious reader of Hemingway will have in not having the written pages before him/her, to read that delightful first sentence which inevitablish introduces each chapter of a novel or a story. Not Hemingway at his best, but if the listener wants a taste these two volumes are a good place to start. But for heavens sake, dear God, please read the written stories too. These make a nice companion for a weekend with a bit of interruption. Listen to one on your iPod and stop, then pick it up and be ready for the next.

I confess that I haven't read anything by Ernest Hemingway since I was forced to do so in high school. My teachers TOLD me what a phenomenal writer he was, but my teenaged self failed to appreciate it. So, fast forward a few years and imagine my utter delight and surprise. His writing is clean, precise, succinct; his stories are still relevant and entertaining. I am now a huge fan and am gobbling up everything I can!

What did you like best about this story?

Stacy Keach was the perfect choice to narrate this collection. HIs voice was expressive, gritty and hard when required, soft and passionate.

I confess that I haven't read anything by Ernest Hemingway since I was forced to do so in high school. My teachers TOLD me what a phenomenal writer he was, but my teenaged self failed to appreciate it. So, fast forward a few years and imagine my utter delight and surprise. His writing is clean, precise, succinct; his stories are still relevant and entertaining. I am now a huge fan and am gobbling up everything I can!

What did you like best about this story?

Stacy Keach was the perfect choice to narrate this collection. HIs voice was expressive, gritty and hard when required, soft and passionate.

Stacy Keach fades on many sentences, thus making it impossible to hear. This is particularly noticed in an automobile environment. The quiet passages are impossible to hear. This dynamic range is appropriate for the stage but NOT for reading a book. Narrow the dynamic range, Stacy, we are listening to Hemingway not you!

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